Christophobia: You've Got to be Kidding!

Yes, it’s a real word! Look it up. In today’s modern society it’s amazing such a thing could actually exist, but here it is in black and white and all of its absurdity.

In “The Criminalisation of Christianity,” by Janet Folger, many examples of Christophobia are cited. Most just downright ridiculous, if it were not for the fact they are true.

For example, GOOGLE sponsors ads for multiple triple X rated pornographic films and homosexual related websites. Why then, did they ban an advertisement from the Christian Organization, “Stand To Reason,” because its’ website included articles pointing out what biblical scriptures say about homosexuality?

According to Folger, Christians are being slaughtered around the world. They have been kidnapped, murdered and even burned alive by a mob of Hindu militants in India. It is estimated over 42 million Christians have died by anti Christian government Regimes in the 20th Century alone, mostly communist.

However, it is not only happening in Communist and Muslim countries. Christians in Europe and North America are facing not only ridicule and hostility in the media, but increasingly they are being restricted, intimidated and harassed by judicial legislation. The act of silencing Christians is real. They are being labeled, ridiculed and legislated into silence.

Of course, Christians should not be surprised by these things. They were foretold ages ago in the bible. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world therefore the world hates you.” John 15:18-19

But, somehow it still doesn’t seem fair. What other religions are subjected to such a degree of harassment? When it comes to any type of opposition to other beliefs, the American government stands in moot silence.

Dr. James Dobson’s “Focus on the Family”has been forced to remove anything that might be deemed critical of homosexuality, including Bible verses on the subject in their Canadian radio programs. They’ve also been prohibited of mentioning facts and information published by the Centre for Disease Control, like the majority of the cases of AIDS in the U.S. are men who engage in homosexuality. This same type of censorship is going on in governments all around the world.

Englishman Harry Hammond, an elderly man, was ridiculed and attacked on the street for holding a sign proclaiming: “Stop immorality. Stop homosexuality. Stop lesbianism.” He was physically assaulted and knocked to the ground. When police arrived they didn’t arrest his assailants. They arrested him…the victim of the assault! He was prosecuted for expressing his opinion.

A school in Canada distributed copies of the Koran and announced the setting aside of a room where Muslim students could pray during school hours, Pastor Mark Harding protested pointing out Christian, Jewish and Buddhist children were not allowed this opportunity. Harding was prosecuted, despite publicly stating his love for Muslims.

He received over 3,000 hate calls and many death threats. Entering court, Harding passed through throngs of Muslims chanting: “Infidel you will burn in Hell!” However, these death threats were apparently not considered “hate speech.”

It was Harding who was convicted for having “willfully promoted hatred” and sentenced to 2 years probation and 340 hours of community service at the Islamic Society of North America, where he was forced to go through Islamic reeducation.

One tactic often used to silence Christians is ridicule. This includes anything from insults to character assassination. Considering the definition of religious “tolerance” today it is almost amusing to note abusive terminology hurled at Christians. An article in the Washington Post painted Christians as “largely poor, uneducated and easy to lead.” And Ted Turner, former owner of CNN, described Christians as “bozos” and Christianity as “a religion for losers.” Try describing any other group that way in the media!

Many other absurd examples of Christophobia exist, for instance, the ostracizing of Mel Gibson, a popular, respected movie star. That is, until he tried making his movie “The Passion of the Christ.” Gibson was described as “a wacko”,”crazy”, “a real nut case.” Despite the insults and degradations in the news media campaign against it, it became one of the top ten most successful films of all time.

Howard Stern, syndicated radio host, after arguing for abortion on one of his shows, insulted a pro-life caller in these words: “You’re an idiot. I can’t stand dumb people. If I were president, I would have you gassed. I would march you into the ovens!” But, of course these statements in no way could be considered “hate speech.” And somehow, after the Oklahoma City bombing, it became the fault of Christians, Pro-Lifers, and Home schoolers.

So, tolerance does not seem to apply toward Pro-Life, Pro-Family Christians. Nor does any criticism flung against Christians seem to fit the definition of “hate speech.”

Christians have suffered all kinds of harassment and threats from violent, extremist homosexual groups. In Madison, Wisconsin, 400 homosexual activists demonstrated at Trinity Evangelical Fellowship Church for nearly an hour. Some of the protesters urinated and defecated on the church floor while Hundreds of others flung rocks and banged on walls and windows with garbage can lids, shouting: “Crush the Christians!” and “Bring back the lions!”

Robert Schwab, a gay activist, said: “If AIDS research money is not forthcoming at a certain level by a certain date, all gay males should give blood. Whatever action is required to get national attention is valid. If that includes blood terrorism, so be it.”

Folger writes about Doug Herman of Pure Revolution, who travels America speaking about Purity since losing his wife and baby to “blood terrorism.”: “And let me assure you, homosexual activists attack him. You would think that killing his wife and daughter would have been enough” Folger wrote.

Even the Boy Scouts of America haven’t been spared relentless attacks for not allowing homosexuals to become Scout leaders. The Boy Scouts have been kicked out of parks, schools and other public places and denied funding by cities and counties. So far, despite being ostracized, they have stood their ground against the ridicule because they want to teach young boys morality and positive values.

Janet Folger also wrote: “The trend towards silencing Christians is real. Label them. Ridicule them. Even blame them for murder. And if they still won’t keep quiet? The next logical step is to make them keep quiet…silencing, ostracizing, and criminalizing those with whom they disagree.”

Pastors, evangelists and Christian activists are in jeopardy of legal prosecution for exercising their freedom of speech and teaching what the Bible says. And it states:

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of…All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”2 Timothy 3:12-17